Alex Rodriguez's 'forgery' defense has hole poked in it thanks to admissions from Braun and Yankees Cervelli

New York Daily News | Feb 7

Alex Rodriguez's claim that the documents purportedly belonging to Anthony Bosch and his now-shuttered Biogenesis clinic are “not legitimate” took a major hit from teammate Francisco Cervelli and Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.The alleged records of Bosch — most of which were published in the Miami New Times Jan. 29 — link several major leaguers to performance-enhancing drug use, including A-Rod. But a Yahoo! report Tuesday included an alleged document from Biogenesis that listed Braun’s and Cervelli’s names. Both Braun and Cervelli acknowledged they had dealings with Bosch, although they denied getting PEDs from him.Cervelli’s admission via Twitter that he consulted with Biogenesis along with Braun’s confirmation in a statement that his name had indeed appeared on Bosch’s client list would appear to undermine Rodriguez’s claim that the documents are “not legitimate.” That is how a PR firm representing the Yankee third baseman characterized the Miami New Times report.“Cervelli’s statement and Braun’s would indicate these notes were not just made up,” said one source familiar with MLB’s investigation into Bosch. “They are basically saying, ‘Yeah, we did deal with him.’”Braun, a former NL MVP, acknowledged in a statement to the Daily News and other media outlets Tuesday night that his attorneys had used Bosch as an expert during Braun’s successful appeal of a 50-game suspension because of a failed drug test. Braun said his name appeared on the Bosch document because his lawyers employed Bosch as a “consultant” during the Milwaukee outfielder’s appeal.Cervelli tweeted late Tuesday that he “consulted” Biogenesis following a 2011 foot injury, and that he purchased legal supplements from the clinic.In Braun’s statement, he said that his attorneys used Bosch as a consultant while he was “preparing for my successful appeal last year. . . . There was a dispute over compensation for Bosch’s work, which is why my lawyer and I are listed under ‘moneys owed’ and not on any other list.”